After spending more than a decade working in the luxury industry while quietly developing his craft behind the camera, Charly Otto has emerged as a filmmaker and director with a distinctive cinematic vision. Founder of CMX Production, he combines storytelling, emotion, and visual artistry to create films that leave a lasting impression.
In this exclusive interview with Fashionmag42.com, Charly reflects on his unconventional journey, creative philosophy, and ambitions for the future.
FM42: Before CMX and before directing, who was Charly Otto?
Charly Otto: Before CMX, I was a man defined by a long, unseen journey. I have always been an adventurous person, craving discovery and the sharing of “savoir-faire” but my path wasn’t linear. I spent 13 years working “alimentary jobs”, demanding roles in customers services, retail and luxury for houses like Hermès, Louboutin, Daks… to support my life and more importantly, my obsession.
I didn’t just wake up a director two years ago. I’ve been filmmaking for 15 years.
Those 13 years of working other jobs while holding onto my camera were my training ground. They taught me discipline, the standards of luxury and most importantly, resilience! I want to inspire people to never quit. I am proof that you can spend decades building a foundation before your dream finally takes flight. I hope more people will dare to explore who they truly are regardless of how long it takes.
FM42: Can you take us back to the beginning? What first drew you to filmmaking, and when did you realize that visual storytelling would become your profession?
Charly Otto: My journey really began when I arrived in London in 2011. At the time, I could barely speak English, which was a challenge in itself. But challenges have always motivated me rather than discouraged me.
I quickly connected with people from the fashion and creative industries and started documenting editorial shoots, backstage moments, hairstyling projects, and underground events across East London. It was during that period that I discovered my camera could do much more than capture still images.
I became fascinated by the power of motion, sound, and emotion. Through filmmaking, I realized I could tell stories in a way that photography alone couldn’t. That was the moment I understood that visual storytelling wasn’t simply a hobby or a passion; it was the path I wanted to dedicate my life to.
FM42: When you’re developing a visual story, are you chasing a feeling, a message, a moment of beauty, or something else entirely?
Charly Otto: What interests me is creating stories that can be interpreted in different ways and that leave something behind once the film is over. I want people to watch a piece of work and take away their own meaning from it. Two people can watch the same film and have completely different experiences and I find that fascinating!!
The films and directors that have inspired me most never give all the answers. They invite you into a world, challenge your perspective and allow you to build your own connection with the story.
When I create, I try to combine visual language, sound, movement, silence, rhythm and atmosphere into something that goes beyond simply delivering information. Every project should carry a deeper meaning, whether it is obvious or hidden beneath the surface.
I don’t create content to please everyone. Sorry guys I create stories that provoke thought, start conversations, inspire emotions and sometimes even challenge people. If a film can stay in someone’s mind days after they’ve watched it then I believe it has achieved something meaningful.
FM42: How do you balance artistic creativity with a client’s commercial objectives?
Charly Otto: I believe creativity and commercial goals should strengthen each other rather than compete.
Cinema has always been one of my greatest inspirations and I constantly look for ways to bring cinematic storytelling into commercial projects. Of course, every client has objectives, guidelines and key messages that need to be respected. My role is to elevate those requirements through creativity.
Whether it’s a luxury campaign, a brand film, or a corporate video, I’m always asking: ‘How do we hijack the audience’s brain and give them a cinematic fever dream while delivering the message?’ If we aren’t making their heart rate jump or leaving them slightly obsessed, we’re just making expensive noise, aren’t we? And I’m definitely not in the business of making noise. The most successful projects are the ones where artistic vision helps the brand connect more deeply with its audience.
FM42: Which stage of the production process do you find most creatively rewarding?
Charly Otto: The moment of capture. Being behind the lens is where everything comes alive. But more than the technical side, I love the interaction with people.
I’m obsessed with creating a great atmosphere on set. For me, the human experience is much more important than the “job” itself. I’ve always believed that you get the best out of everyone when they feel heard, respected and inspired. I privilege the experience as a whole. If the energy on set is right, it translates into the image. I do everything I can to give my best to those I work with because filmmaking is a collective human adventure.
FM42: Are there any dream projects or stories that you still hope to direct?
Charly Otto: Absolutely!!
One of my biggest ambitions is to collaborate with the luxury brands that inspired me early in my career, especially Hermès. Having worked within that world, I developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, storytelling and timeless creativity.
I would love the opportunity to create films that reflect those values while bringing my own cinematic vision to the project. Beyond commercial work, I am also passionate about directing stories that explore human emotion, resilience and personal journeys.
FM42: What is the next chapter you hope to write for CMX?
Charly Otto: CMX Production was founded only two years ago, but it represents a journey that started much earlier. Every experience, every challenge, and every project I’ve worked on has helped shape what the company is today.
My goal is to continue growing CMX into a production company known not only for its creativity and visual quality but also for the way it treats people. I believe great work comes from great relationships and I always do everything I can to give my best to clients, collaborators and everyone involved in a project.
Recently, I had several opportunities to work on cinema projects as a Director of Photography which has been an exciting step forward. Looking ahead, one of my biggest aspirations is to direct my own feature film and continue pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling while staying true to the passion that started it all.
Cover photo: Mykyta Krushelnytskyi @swissphoto
One Response
A huge pleasure thank you so much for this interview !